Before the 1990s, Albania did not treat tourism as a strong economic sector. The government mainly used it as propaganda to show foreign visitors the achievements of the communist state.
During the regime, few foreigners entered Albania. The government strictly controlled visits after World War II. Officials monitored not only entry but also visitors’ clothing and hairstyles to avoid “foreign displays.”
Group tourism started in 1956, when about 250 tourists visited Albania.
The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATSH) holds archival photos of these organized visits. Some photos date from summer 1958. They show a group of German tourists arriving by ship, resting at Durrës beach, and visiting Tirana.
Foreign tourists stayed at the “Adriatik” hotel in Durrës during those years.
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